Building the ICM 1/24 Model T 1911 Touring #7

My energy level as of late is not congruent with my ambition. I really want to get this wrapped up, but also must be careful not to take a shortcut that ends up taking more time to fix. Model building is a delicate balance of completion and process.

In our last episode, the wheels got done, the car was centered on the base and holes were drilled to attach the wheels. I can hear my wife now "you said you were going to build it out of the box!" I know. Yes, that was the plan, but things evolve.

Building the ICM 1/24 Model T 1911 Touring #6

 

The model will eventually end up in the box. It's like a magic trick where you saw the nice human in half. The saw used is always quite ridiculous, I think they only make those with the mastodon teeth just for magic acts. Look, if I hold up something shiny you might forget what's really going on here. I've forgotten already.

Building the ICM 1/24 Model T 1911 Touring #5

In model building it's important to rehearse the drama to ensure all the actors are working together. It's mildly thrilling after weeks of coaching, blocking and flubbed lines to see a coherent performance emerge. This is a story of a scale replica Model-T touring automobile, circa 1910.

Building the ICM 1/24 Model T 1911 Touring #4

Before going any further I needed to clean up. Disorganization creates a sort of mental chatter which I find very distraction. Cleaning also gives one the illusion of control. I garbage-picked a nice dining room table and moved it into my workspace, you can see the edge of it on the right. For me, there is never enough flat workspace. So, lets take a deep breath, hold and release...

Building the ICM 1/24 Model T 1911 Touring #3

 

ICM did not do the best on this kit. It's ok, but the engineering is a bit sloppy. For example, they give you the three control pedals, but there is nothing under the floor openings to connect them to. A section of strip is cut and fitted underneath.

Building the ICM 1/24 Model T 1911 Touring #2

 

This is a motorized paint stirring tool which I modded to be used as a sander. I cut the pronged tip off and vacuformed a housing. An off center weight was added to the shaft. When turned on it vibrates. There is a flat section (left underside) that I can attach custom sanding blocks. This tool is used to polish hard to reach areas.

Building the ICM 1/24 Model T 1911 Touring #1

 

An email was forwarded to me from a fellow club member of someone in the area who wanted this kit built. In the past I have had some not-so-good experiences building for hire. However, I liked ICM kits and have built a few and knew what I would be getting into. I contacted them and we we were able to come to an agreement on our collective expectations. One of the important things for me was that his would be built Out Of the Box. I need some practice doing this.